Rules of the Game

Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891.
The objective of today's game stems directly from Naismith's original rules that are based
around shooting a ball through a metal hoop suspended above the ground, which is called a
basket. These rules include;

1. Only five players per team on the court. In the NBA, WNBA, and NCAA
basketball, each team can play a maximum number of five players on the court. If a
team breaks this main rule, they will lose possession of the ball. Sometimes this
inadvertently happens, particularly at low levels of the game, when substitute players
check into the game and others don't leave the court in time.
2. Score more than your opponent to win. To win the game, a team must score more
field goals than the other team. A field goal refers to any basket a player scores during
gameplay. Field goals can be worth two or three points. Field goals shot from inside
the arc that designates the three-point line on the court are worth two points. Field
goals shot from outside the arc are worth three points. Field goals can take the form of
jump shots, layups, slam dunks, and tip-ins.
3. Score within the shot clock. Teams have a limited amount of time to shoot the ball
during a given possession. In the NBA and WNBA, teams are allowed 24 seconds of
possession before they must shoot, while NCAA teams are allowed 30 seconds. A shot
clock mounted above the hoop on each side of the court displays and counts down the
time allotted. If the shot clock elapses, the opposing team forfeits the ball and becomes
the defensive team.
4. Dribbling advances the ball. Basketball players may only advance the ball by passing
or dribbling (bouncing the ball on the floor) as they move up and down the court. If a
player stops dribbling, they may not resume; instead, they must pass the ball or shoot
it. If an offensive player with possession of the ball stops then continues dribbling
before passing or shooting, the referee will call a “double dribble,” and the opposing
team gets the ball. Additionally, players may only advance the ball by dribbling it. If
they run while holding the ball, they are traveling. Referees will issue a traveling call,
and possession of the ball will go to the opposing team.
5. The offense has five seconds to inbound the ball. After the offense scores a basket,
the opposing team receives possession of the ball. One of their players has to inbound
the ball from a designated spot on the sidelines of the court to resume gameplay. The
player has five seconds to pass the ball to another player on his team, or else the team
loses possession. The defender cannot contact the ball when the offensive player is
trying to inbound it, or the referee can issue a technical foul.
6. The offense must advance the ball. Once an offensive team advances the ball past the
half-court line, the ballhandler may not cross that line again, or a referee will award
possession of the ball to the opposing team.
7. Ball and ballhandler must remain inbounds. During gameplay, the player with
possession of the ball must stay within the designated inbounds lines marked on the
court. If a player steps out of bounds or touches this line with their foot while holding
the ball, the referee will award possession to the opposing team. Additionally, if a
player shoots the ball while their foot is touching the line and the shot is successful, it
will not count.
8. Defenders can’t interfere with a shot on a downward trajectory. After the
offensive player shoots the ball, it is illegal for a defensive player to interfere with it
once it begins its descent toward the rim. This interference is called a goaltend and will
result in an automatic field goal for the offense.
9. Defenders can legally block or steal the ball. The defending team’s goal is to prevent
the offensive team from scoring by either stealing the ball, blocking the ball from
entering the basket, or using defensive tactics  to prevent an offensive player from
shooting and scoring.
10. Defenders must leave the paint after three seconds. The area directly in front of the
basket is sometimes referred to as "the paint" or "inside the key." Offensive players
may not camp out in this area waiting for the ball or an offensive rebound. Any
individual player can spend a maximum of three seconds at a time in the space before
they have to move. Once they step out of the paint, they can return. If the referee
notices a player hovering in the paint for over three seconds, the team will receive a
three-second violation.
11. Each team is allotted a certain number of fouls. The NBA allows each team a total
of five fouls per quarter. Once a team surpasses this allotment, they go “into the
bonus,” which means the officials will award the opposing team with free throws for
every additional foul that a player commits in that quarter of play. In the NCAA, these
foul shots are known as "one and one" shots, which means that if a player makes the
first free throw, they receive a second free throw. If they miss the first free throw,
either team can rebound the errant shot and claim possession. After 10 team fouls, the
opposing team gets a "double bonus," which means they get to take two foul shots.
12. Illegal contact results in a foul. When a basketball player commits illegal physical
contact against an opposing player, the referees will call a personal foul. Most player
fouls involve contact that impedes an opposing player's gameplay. When a player fouls
another player on an opposing team in the act of shooting , the referee rewards the
fouled player with unguarded free throws from the foul line. Each successfully made
free throw counts for one point. Referees can assess coaches with fouls for
unsportsmanlike acts, such as using profanity to dispute a missed call.
13. Illegal contact results in a personal foul. A personal foul is an infraction that violates
the rules of the game. Players can incur personal fouls by pushing, blocking, or
striking another player in the act of shooting. Shooting fouls result in free throw
attempts for the fouled player. If a defender fouls a shooter attempting a two-point
shot, the shooter will receive two free throws. If a shooter is fouled during a three-
point shot attempt, they will receive three free throws. If the player makes the shot
they were attempting at the time of illegal contact, the basket counts, and the shooter
will receive one free throw.
14. Excessive contact results in a flagrant foul. Flagrant fouls refer to a personal foul
that can potentially injure the opponent. These fouls carry heavier penalties, such as
fines, immediate ejection, and even suspension. There are two types of flagrant fouls:
flagrant foul—penalty (1) and flagrant foul—penalty (2). Flagrant 1 refers to fouls
involving unnecessary contact. The penalty for this foul type is a free throw for the
opponent and possession of the ball. Flagrant 2 refers to any foul involving
unnecessary and excessive contact. Officials perform an instant-play review to
determine if an act qualifies for the flagrant 2 penalty. If it does, the player at fault is
 assessed a fine and an automatic ejection from the game, and the opposing team
receives free throws and possession of the ball.
15. Charges and illegal screens result in an offensive foul. An offensive foul is a
personal foul that offensive players commit when their team possesses the ball. The
two most common offensive fouls are charging and illegal ball screens. Charging is
when an offensive player makes contact with a defensive player who has planted their
feet in a locked position. An illegal screen is when a non-ball-handling offensive
player moves while setting a screen for their teammate to prevent the defender from
moving about the court.
16. Certain rule violations result in technical fouls. A technical foul is a penalty for
violating the game’s administrative rules. Officials commonly assess technical fouls
for fighting and verbal abuse, often assessing coaches with this penalty if they are too
abrasive when disputing a call. Technical fouls result in a free throw and a change of
possession. If a player or coach receives two technical fouls in the same game, the
referee will eject them. Players with a long history of technical fouls risk suspension
from the regular season and even playoff games.

Gadgets Used

Basketball can be played with very little equipment. That is why it has become one of the most
popular sports to play worldwide. Although the strongest and best-known league is in the United
States, basketball is a popular sport in every continent, and it is still growing. Basketball can be
played outdoors on asphalt and dirt or indoors on wooden floors. If you're getting ready to play a
pickup game, here's a list of equipment you'll need to bring:

Gadgets Use

Basketball Training Equipment

Basketball is one of the most popular games around the world. If one has a basketball and a
hoop, they can play this game indoors as well as outdoors. If one is a professional, they will
definitely need most of the equipment to practice. But, if one is just starting out and learning a
few tricks of the trade, then the basic necessities will suffice their needs.

The Ball

The most important thing for training is the ball. There are certain guidelines which one
needs to follow when buying a basketball. For practicing, one can play with a rubber ball. For
professional competitions, one needs to use an inflated ball made of leather.
 Official size of a basketball is 29.5 to 30 inches in circumference for men’s game and
28.5 inches in circumference for women’s game. It should weigh 18 to 22 ounces. When
bounced off 6 feet from the floor, a well inflated ball should bounce 49 to 54 inches in height.

Shoes

One needs specialized shoes when playing basketball. It should be able to give better
support to the ankle as compared to running shoes. The basketball shoes should be high-tipped
shoes and provide extra comfort during a game. These shoes are specially designed to maintain
high traction on the basketball court.

Basket

A hoop or basket with net around its circumference and of 18 inch diameter is firmly
hung horizontally from a rectangular backboard of 3.5 feet height and 6 feet width on either sides
of the court. The rim of the hoop is 10 feet above the ground. The backboard in various
international competitions is transparent for better visibility.

Player Uniforms

Each basketball player from each team must wear a uniform so that when the game takes
place, there will be a difference between teammates and opponents. Besides that, uniforms will
also make the team more solid and look attractive when playing.

Generally, basketball uniforms do not have sleeves on the shirt and the length of the pants
is only up to the knees, all of which aims to facilitate the player’s movement.

Shot Clock

The offense is allowed a maximum of 24 seconds to have a ball in hand before shooting.
These 24 seconds are counted on the shot clock. If the offense fails to shoot a ball that hits the
rim, they will lose the possession of the ball to the other team

Whistle
 The coach or referee uses a whistle to indicate the start or end of a game. S/he can even
use the whistle to stop the play in the middle of a game. Whistle also helps to indicate fouls,
timeout, or out of bound balls to the players. In order to get the attention of the players, many
times coaches use the whistle to gather the players.

It does not matter if one does not have every object mentioned in the list above. All that
is needed is a hoop, basketball and proper shoes to practice the game. Hope the above
information is helpful to those who are trying to hone their raw talent for a professional career.